Chef Hannah here! It’s been a minute since I last wrote and if I’m being totally honest, I’m probably only dropping another blog post because my client told me last night that she noticed my last blog post on my website was from January… and that apparently, it was all about taking some time away from cheffing. I haven’t actually reread it between 8 pm last night and 6 am this morning BUT I can “lol” at that notion because this was my busiest, yummiest season of cheffing yet. From June until now, I’ve cheffed more weddings, elopements, and private dining experiences than any other season of running my small business. It’s also been the richest and most fulfilling season yet.
The first several years of me running my business were essentially me working alone. Even though my work involves being around clients and being a part of their celebrations, evenings, etc., I learned how lonely the job can be when it’s just me in the kitchen for six to fourteen hours a day. Prior to becoming a private chef, I always had jobs where I was blessed with colleagues that I loved — as coworkers and humans. I didn’t realize that being a business owner could or would feel lonely until this time last year. More importantly, I didn’t realize how much that was affecting my experience of the work and feeling overwhelmed within my role.
All this is to say, part of what has made this season so rich and yummy is that I almost always bring on support these days. For a fifty-five person wedding back in July, I had a team of five in the kitchen with me. For the eight-person dinner last night, I just had one friend come on to support. But I’ve realized that as much as I love cooking, connection has and always will be at the heart of who I am. Connection to food is connection to earth but I believe that we receive the nourishment of life most fully when we are in meaningful connection with one another.
So here I am at the end of a objectively exhausting season feeling more inspired than ever. I’m already booking into September of 2027, and I believe that’s a reflection of this inspiration and commitment to continuing to deliver creative dining experiences with the highest quality ingredients available. 2027 is going to be filled with my most creative offerings yet as I learn to fully trust the inspiration that moves from the earth into the kitchen and through the blessing of food.
May you feel nourished, connected, and inspired in the coming days and year.